My Dinner With Andrew

Yes, we are bored. We're all bored now. But has it ever occurred to you Wally that the process that creates this boredom that we see in the world now may very well be a self-perpetuating, unconscious form of brainwashing, created by a world totalitarian government based on money, and that all of this is much more dangerous than one thinks? and it's not just a question of individual survival Wally, but that somebody who's bored is asleep, and somebody who's asleep will not say no? - Andre Gregory

I really look forward to the weekly Gusto section in the Buffalo news. It used to come on Fridays, now it’s on Thursdays. Trish likes that better. Me, not so much. It disturbs my wa.

I’m not addicted to the whole thing, just the first half – the half with criticism and reviews. I don’t necessarily use them to make up my mind about anything; I just like criticism as a literary exercise. I enjoy reading the thoughts of the person writing the review. Then, if I ultimately see, or hear, or read the item reviewed I can compare my own thoughts with the reviewer. Got that?

Local Gems II

This past weekend was the annual Maple Weekend in New York State, always a great family event. While most people think of Vermont (or Quebec) when they think of Maple Syrup, New York is the third largest producer in the US. The focal point of syrup production is Wyoming County, but there are some very good (and friendly) ones here in Erie County.

We started our day at Maple Glen Sugar House. It was our second visit there. The first time we visited, we had screwed up the date for Maple Weekend, but ended up getting a very personal tour. They did a good job with the crowds, but we really liked the personal touch. I think we'd like to take them up on a private tour again, though we did score the last quart of Grade B they had for sale - we prefer it, especially for cooking.

Our next stop was Kist Maple Syrup in Colden. Another warm welcome, and a promise that with a call, we can score some more Grade B in the off season. Good people to know!

The last stop was one of the newer Sugar Shacks - the Smith Maple Farm in Hamburg. Carl and Bridget were great hosts, with great humor, and their farm is on the site of the famous 1824 murder of John Love. They also brew a very light, tasty Grade A syrup. The girls declared it YUM!

Having finished the tour, we treated ourselves to a meal worth repeating at the Coyote Cafe in Hamburg. On our way out of town, we stumbled upon a gem: The Crazy4Bookz store on Main Street. What a great find for lovers of used books - especially used cookbooks. Hey, I scored a first edition of The French Menu Cookbook by Richard Olney.

What a great day.

PS. Maple syrup is great on cornbread, and think a maple-chipotle glaze for ribs . . .

In the photo above: Maple sugar for home-made bacon, Grade A Light Amber, Grade A Medium Amber, Grade B.

Below, My toothless wonders, and some shots of various syrup making processes.

Local Gems I

Like many of my comrades in the food blogosphere, the publication of Ruhlman and Polcyn's Charcuterie inspired me to make a more concerted effort in the curing and preservation of meats. Most books on the subject refer you to one of two mail order sources: Butcher & Packer or The Sausage Maker. We here in the Buffalo area are lucky, because The Sausage Maker is located at the Clinton-Bailey Market, aka the Niagara Frontier Food Terminal ( also the home of Willowbrook Farms and the US Foodservice outlets, to name a few.)

The folks there have always been extremely helpful, and I have never stopped by and not found what I needed. In fact the only sausage-making ingredient they don't have is a meat starter culture such as bactoferm - which I still get from B&P. On this trip I got some Hog Middles for Sopressata and other larger sausages, and Fermento for a batch of landjäger when the smoker gets set up.

Sometimes it's nice to live in Western New York!